Northwestern Snowflakes - The Offense
September 30th, 2018 at 12:39 AM ^
I think Evans is our main screen package RB.
Not sure NW was aggressive enough on pass rush to run screen, they seemed to only rush 4 all the time. LB's stayed home a lot, screens are less effective if the D isn't aggressive.
We did run a few flare routes to Higdon, once or twice Shea didn't get him the ball.
September 29th, 2018 at 11:54 PM ^
I think Shea had an off day. I also think plays like McKeon dropping a wide open perfectly thrown ball attributed to that. NW loaded the box because of it and run game wasn’t amazing. Felt like we were burning first downs on fire with runs up the gut every time.
I also think the OL has their best game of the year. Hail Warinner.
Head scratcher why they sent Perry on a fade route in the EZ when they could’ve literally sent anyone else that’s like 4 inches taller.
Good to fight back from 17 down. But it shouldn’t have gotten to that.
Really hope the vanilla playcalling is because they keeping some things in their back pocket for the Wiscy/MSU/PSU stretch.
September 30th, 2018 at 2:23 PM ^
Fades to short receivers is a Harbaugh staple. Just look at McDoom against MSU last year.
Why make the defense beat you when you can beat yourself?
September 29th, 2018 at 11:54 PM ^
I think Shea had an off day. I also think plays like McKeon dropping a wide open perfectly thrown ball attributed to that. NW loaded the box because of it and run game wasn’t amazing. Felt like we were burning first downs on fire with runs up the gut every time.
I also think the OL has their best game of the year. Hail Warinner.
Head scratcher why they sent Perry on a fade route in the EZ when they could’ve literally sent anyone else that’s like 4 inches taller.
Good to fight back from 17 down. But it shouldn’t have gotten to that.
Really hope the vanilla playcalling is because they keeping some things in their back pocket for the Wiscy/MSU/PSU stretch.
September 30th, 2018 at 12:17 AM ^
The GAZ made some plays but the OL pretty effectively minimized his efforts. Pass pro was good! I am encouraged yet again by the OL. They are getting better.
September 30th, 2018 at 12:34 AM ^
It was nice to see Shea use his feet today, really the first time this year we've seen what looked like the green light to run.
We found a play and formation that Northwestern couldn't handle and we fucked with them 3 times late in the 4th quarter with it. That was beautiful.
Sick of playing teams that run LB's and S's down hill like bats out of hell and we don't punish them enough. Other than the slow start and not pounding it in the endzone inside the 5 twice, not a bad day offensively.
September 30th, 2018 at 9:50 AM ^
For the life of me I cant figure out what has happened to the screen pass or the quick slant route. The slant used to be a staple for Grant Perry which was one of our few passing plays that we had success in. Are we just not athletic enough to get our lineman downfield for a screen play?
September 30th, 2018 at 10:32 AM ^
Yes I have been wondering the same thing. These are high percentage plays that can change the way the defense plays against you. I would have also like to see Mason play tailback again in some situations and with Wangler as his lead back.
September 30th, 2018 at 9:50 AM ^
Patterson is not the answer. Patterson's had five games to prove he can follow his check-downs. Patterson has failed. Before the ball is hiked, Patterson has already decided whom he will throw to, Patterson doesnt follow his check-downs, the game is too fast for Patterson. Patterson panics. Time to give McCaffrey serious playing time with the first string unit vs Maryland. If McCaffrey plays better than Patterson, McCaffrey should be the starting QB.
Sorry Patterson fanatics. It's time for the UM coaching staff to give the ball to McCaffrey with the starting unit.
October 1st, 2018 at 11:21 PM ^
Can I get ten?
September 30th, 2018 at 10:09 AM ^
When did power running lose the fullback? Michigan has a very capable human battering ram that seems to enjoy the position, yet for the 1st few series it was all single back spread running up the middle with no results.
Checkdowns. All day checkdowns were open by 5 yards or more but were ignored.
September 30th, 2018 at 10:30 AM ^
The second play of the game on the end around it seemed like McKeon was supposed to block down and didn’t. This forced Gentry to try and block down on a guy that was on his outside shoulder. The mix up seemed to destroy the play which would have worked great. I could be wrong on the assignment but Gentry at the end of the play pointed at McKeon.
I don’t really like to pile on on these kids but it seems like McKeon is having a rough season as he has not performed well blocking or from a receiving standpoint. I thought he was great last yr and would be All Big10 this season. His struggles have had a major effect on the offense. Hopefully he can turn it around as he was one of my favorites last yr. Seems to be struggling with confidence and aggressiveness. Truly rooting for him, Eubanks looked good in his absence later in the game though.
September 30th, 2018 at 11:43 AM ^
My biggest bitch about the O is on the WRs. Too much dancing when you need three yards to get a first down. Just plow forward and move the chains. Happened a few times yesterday.
September 30th, 2018 at 1:26 PM ^
They're not really a manball team. The sooner they figure this out, the better.
October 1st, 2018 at 9:29 AM ^
No turnovers, Shea was only sacked once and was able to escape the pocket and make some great runs. He did what he was brought in here to do. Without him, we lose that game. Was tough to watch at times, but I’ll take it.
I am curious at times if a lot of the vanilla play-calling is due to:
1) Not wanting to give a lot away before we hit the meat of the schedule. And, perhaps more importantly:
2) Harbaugh is trying, at all costs, to get Shea to the OSU game healthy. He’s seen how he may be two healthy QBs away from being either 1-2 or even 2-1 against OSU.